Adolfo "Big Al" Bruno was a major figure in the western Massachusetts underworld until he was gunned down in 2003. Bruno and his associate John Nettis were tried on two occasions in connection with the attempted murder of bookie Joseph Maruca. One of the trials was for trying to kill him and the other was for conspiracy in the same offense. The bookie was lured into a barn owned by Bruno's brother in Agawam, MA. Maruca survived five gun wounds and testified against the men who pursued and shot him.